This document provides guidelines and requirements for students completing their junior thesis paper. It includes sections on choosing a topic, developing the thesis, research methods like using note cards, creating an outline, issues of plagiarism, the paper layout, and grading rubric. Key due dates are listed for submitting initial and final drafts as well as completing outline and research checkpoints along the way. Students are expected to independently research and write a 5-7 page persuasive paper on a topic that interests them and can be adequately supported within the given timeframe.

1. Junior Thesis Paper
Research Information Packet
English 11
Table of Contents
Introduction to Thesis………………………………………………………………………………. 1
Requirements and Penalties………………………………………………………………………… 2
Due Dates…………………………………………………………………………………………... 3
Choosing Your Topic……………………………………………………………………………….4
Developing Your Thesis……………………………………………………………………………. 5
Noodlebib Overview………………………………………………………………………..……. 6-7
Citation Guide………………………………………………………………………..…………... 8-9
Tentative Topic Outline………………………………………………………………………..….. 10
Research Notes & 3”x5” Cards……………………………………………………………..….11-14
Final Outline…………………………………………………………………………………... 15-18
Introductions………………………………………………………………………………………. 19
Plagiarism……………………………………………………………………………………… 20-21
SamplePaper Layout…………………………………………………………………………..22-25
Editing Guide………………………………………………………………………………….. 26-27
Grading Rubric……………………………………………………………………………………. 28

2. Introduction to the Thesis Paper
What is it exactly?
A thesis paper is a long persuasive essay that relies heavily on extensive research to
answer the question “So What?” about a topic of your choice. In a thesis, you make an
assertion (thesis statement) on a topic, and then support that assertion with facts or
arguments from your research.
It contains all of the formal elements of a research paper: title page, outline, works-
cited page, and thorough documentation (giving credit where credit is due). The final
copy will be word-processed. You will also make an oral presentation to the class on
your thesis.
It is important that you pick an area that interests you because you will be spending a
significant amount of time on it over the next ten weeks. It is important that you
understand that this is not simply an English Project. This is a project in science,
history, art, self-exploration, career building, and college preparation. This is
something that you’ll be pouring yourself into for several months, and it will be
something that should profoundly influence you.
So how do I go about doing this?
This project is meant to be largely independent. Keep in mind that in just a year and
a half, many of your college professors will assign a paper accompanied by the
following guidelines and instructions: “Your paper is due at the end of the
semester.” You’ll be expected to then complete that paper on your own. While you’re
probably not quite ready for that yet, we hope you’re close. That said, we’ll be
providing the following “check points” to keep you on track. All will be counted as
separate grades:
1. Tentative thesis statement
2. Tentative topic outline
3. Initial notes check
4. Final notes check
5. Final outline
6. Rough draft
7. Final copy
It will be important that you budget your time and plan carefully to meet these deadlines.
This will NOT be the only thing that we do over the course of the next 10 weeks, and you
will be responsible for completing regular homework as well, often times due the same day
as one of these checkpoints. Do not wait until the night before a due date to begin each
stage of this project.

3. The Final Copy
Requirements:
1. Minimum # of 7 cited sources – one must be print!
2. Typed, double-spaced, size 12 - Times New Roman or Calibri font
Note – The default Microsoft 2008 font is Calibri size 11
3. 1” margins on ALL sides – Yes, I will check with a ruler
4. Must include a title page, a body, and a works cited page
5. The body(EXCLUDING THE WORKS CITED PAGE AND THE TITLE
PAGE) should be at least5-7 pages long.
Note – A minimum length likely to equal a minimum grade.
6. Should be well developed and unified, containing accurate, precise information
coherently and smoothly presented, and must be written according to the
conventions of standard written English.
Evaluation:
The final copy will be a grade out of 100 and will comprise 50% of your 2nd marking
period grade. The rubric that I will use to grade it can be found at the end of this packet.
You will be evaluated on your achievement in content, organization, style, mechanics,
technique, and formatting. The grading rubric is found at the end of this packet.
Penalties:
Failure to meet due date: Late papers will be penalized 10% for EVERY SCHOOL DAY
missed, whether you have class on that day or not.
Failure to use 7 sources (as indicated both by internal citations and your works cited): No
higher a grade than 69% for paper and most likely a proportionally lower grade than that.
Failure to submit a paper with at least 5 FULL pages: No higher a grade than 69% for
paper and most likely a proportionally lower grade than that.
Any paper containing sections that are recklessly or intentionally plagiarized will
receive a grade of 0%. Instances of plagiarism will be referred to the Principal and your
parent/guardian.
***IMPORTANT: You must complete all “check points” for this project in order
and on time. Failure to complete any stage of this process on will result in a 0 for that
stage. Furthermore, no checkpoints will be accepted unless all previous checkpoints
have been completed and at least one day has passed. For example, your final copy
will not be accepted unless your rough draft was turned in at least one day prior.
Your rough draft will not be accepted unless your final outline was turned in at least
one day prior. And so on…

4. Miss Przybysz
Junior Thesis Due Dates 2012-2013
“Life is rarely exactly as we would like it to be. Instead, life is exactly as it is.”
To receive credit on any part of the thesis, all components previous to that part due must
be completed. Note, sometimes life tosses you unexpected challenges. While you will
sometimes earn my sympathy when these challenges occur, you will rarely earn my
lenience. The most successful people are able to deal with adversity when it strikes.
1. Thesis Statement due (homework credit)
November 13-14– Completed in class…credit will be given only if thesis
statement follows guidelines presented by me.
2. Tentative Topic Outline and note card check with works cited page through
Noodlebib including at least 5 possible sources (2 homework credits)
November 19-20(Must have 5 note cards completed or other check cleared with
me prior.)
3. Note card check and works cited on noodlebib showing at least 7 possible sources (2
homework credits)
November 28, 29 (20 index cards or other check cleared with me prior)
4. Final note card check. Printed works cited page with at least 7 sourcesthat you plan
to use in your paper, all of which should appear in your note cards. (Remember 1
source must be print; 2 homework credits)
December 4, 5 (50 index cards, or completed notes in format cleared with me
prior to the start of your note-taking)
5. Final Outline (50 points)
December 6, 7 (Well organized and complete – Will NOT award partial credit for
incomplete outlines.)
6. Rough Draft (100 points) – Turn in paper copy in class and upload electronic copy
to “turnitin.com”
December 12-13
7. FINAL COPY-
(50% of your SECOND QUARTER AVERAGE!!)
December 18, 19 – You will lose 10 points per day late.

5. CHOOSING A TOPIC
Choosing a topic is one of, if not THE MOST, important tasks in your research.
You have to choose something that interests you. You will do best if you are motivated by
a real curiosity. You should select a topic that you would read about, even if not forced to
by me. Start watching the news/reading the newspaper for ideas.
This paper is a mix of researching, learning, arguing, organizing, and storytelling. All of it
will be done to answer the question, “So what?” This is way past telling us all about the
Civil War or Abortion. This is taking one of those broader topics and framing it in a way
that is interesting and unique.
Note that you don’t need to create a thesis statement immediately. This is different. But
you need to select a topic that provides you the avenue to eventually formulate a creative
and intelligent argument. Lastly, ask yourself if there are enough sources and if there is
enough time to effectively research and argue your topic in the time that you’re given. For
example, you likely won’t want to research the entire Civil War. Nor will you want to
research life on an obscure island off the coast of South Africa. But you may try
propaganda during the Civil War or the lifestyles of coastal island communities.
Possible Topic Starting Points
(You will need to make them much more specific and unique)
3rd World Countries Emerging Economies Nuclear Arms
Abuse on all Levels Entitlements Organized Crime
Adoption Issues European Union Planned Parenthood
Affirmative Action Euthanasia (in schools)
Alcohol/Chemical Evolution Population Control
Dependency Film/Movies Poverty
Alternative Fuel Gang Warfare Professional Sports
Animal Testing Genetics Propaganda
Any War Global Economy PTSD
Birth Control Global Warming Racism
Cancer Government Debt Religion
Capitalism Government Policies Space
Causes of Change Guns Stock Market
Celebrity Health Care Stress
Censorship Historical Events Student Disabilities
CIA Homeland Security Suicide
Civil Rights Homelessness Taliban/Al-Queda
Criminal Profiling Homosexuality Teenage Issues
Drug Use Immigration The Internet
Eating Disorders Korea The Media
Education in Labor Unions The Recession
America Mental Health Wars on Terror
Effects of Media Middle East

6. Developing a Thesis Statement
Once you’ve started reading about your topic, you will need to begin
thinking about a thesis statement. This is an argument. It’s not an
observation. As you are researching, consider: Why would anyone be interested in this
topic? What do I think is important for people to know? How has my topic influenced the
world? Why is this something that people should be concerned about? Note, a thesis
statement should not be an observation. And it should not be something that someone
could prove with 100% certainty.
The best thesis statement will be one that I have never considered before. It is a
“controlling idea” that will frame the rest of your paper. EVERYTHING from that point
forward will be an attempt to illustrate and prove that what you argue is true. While you
will need an initial thesis statement to get started, your argument may change as you
continue your research and learn more about your topic. You are not “locked in” to this
original thesis.
Remember that you will write every single paragraph with the sole purpose of proving your
thesis. If you have a paragraph that seems irrelevant to your thesis, you have two choices:
get rid of it or rewrite your thesis to reflect the addition of new information.
Examples of good thesis statements:
Broad Topic Specific Topic Thesis Statement
Media/Movies Disney Movies Disney movies, while intended for children,
contain subliminal messages that have a
direct negative influence on the developing
mind.
Education High Stakes Tests The emphasis placed on standardized testing
in United States education has focused
learning on the wrong areas and has lowered
the standards in our schools.
Birth Control Planned Parenthood Schools in the United States should be
in Schools mandated by law to have a free Planned
Parenthood office available to students
because this would reduce teen pregnancy
rates and increase the prevention of STDs.
College Difficulties of the High school graduates should be required to take a
college transition year off to pursue community service
. projects before entering college in order to
increase their maturity and global awareness.